This was always going to be about him. About his betrayal and their fury. Newcastle United fans had long had May 1 pencilled in as Andy Carroll day. That, in the end, their visit to Anfield was not about their former hero, their fallen idol, simply made it hurt all the more.

For more than an hour, Carroll sat on the bench, listening to the bile pouring forth from the travelling supporters. They accused him of letting his city down, they revoked his Geordie status, they made a host of vile allegations about his private life. He smiled, wryly, amid the torrent.

It was not hard to see why. On the pitch, Kenny Dalglish's side were showing Newcastle that it is more than possible to cope in his absence. He only appeared when the game was safe, goals from Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and the irrepressible Luis Suarez sending Liverpool above Tottenham into fifth place.

If they stay there, Europe beckons. Liverpool are, roughly, back where they belong. Most clubs may scorn the Europa League, but this club is defined by its continental combat. Besides, it is a sign of intent, a signal that Anfield is on the rise again. Little wonder Carroll is so happy in his adopted home.

Newcastle, on the other hand, were abject. Alan Pardew's side are safe, but the striker they sold will have seen little, other than old friends, to make him pine for the city those supporters who accuse him of disloyalty have decided he has no right to call home.

Carroll, for all the allegations spewing from the Anfield Road end, never wished to leave Newcastle. That much was confirmed in a text message exchange with the editor of one of the club's fanzine. He was being "pushed out the door," he said. Mike Ashley wanted the money.

Any doubts that this move was for the best will have been wiped away by what he saw here. Liverpool might have taken the lead fortuitously, Maxi granted a shot after Mike Williamson's clearing header slipped into his path, the Argentine scoring only thanks to a deflection off Danny Simpson, but Newcastle's singular failure to react meant it was more than merited.

Liverpool even granted them the freedom of Anfield in a bid to make a game of it. The hosts sat back, inviting pressure, but the visitors offered little.

Barely trying, it seemed, Liverpool might have extended their lead; Tim Krul gathered Jay Spearing's shot at the second attempt, with Kuyt and Raul Meireles lurking, Lucas headed the Portuguese's cross straight at the Newcastle goalkeeper when well-placed.

Newcastle finally managed a chance at the start of the second half, the subdued Joey Barton firing just wide after Kevin Nolan's cross was allowed to pass unnoticed through Liverpool's defence. The warning galvanised the hosts into action. Suddenly, Liverpool slipped into, if not top, then at least third gear.

Suarez saw one effort deflected by Williamson, then Maxi, now on four goals in two games, hit the bar with a cross. The clincher was coming.

Suarez was always likely to be involved, beating Williamson to Pepe Reina's long ball, being brought down by an outstretched arm and watching Kuyt slot the penalty home.

Kuyt might have headed home a third by the time Suarez got the goal his performance deserved, a crisp finish past Krul after exchanging passes with his strike partner.

Then it was time for Carroll. Now, it was about him. A cascade of boos, a stream of abuse. But the game was won. Liverpool did not need Carroll to sweep his former club away. That is what hurts. That is what will assure Carroll he is where he should be, for all the pain.